July 2004

It was reported last week that an "underground city" had been discovered beneath the streets of Leavenworth, Kansas. "Some Leavenworth residents have been unknowingly walking around above an underground city," we read, "and no one seems to know who created it or why."

Windows, doors and narrow paths beneath a title company at South Fourth and Delaware streets lead to storefronts stretching several city blocks and perhaps beyond.There are also several vaults around town. Some of have them been used for breweries...Some speculate the underground town was created in the 1800s and could have been used during slavery or for fugitives.

I have to admit, though, especially after looking at the slideshow, that referring to this alternately as an "underground town" and an "underground city" seems like quite an overstatement of the case; it looks more like a few connected basements at most. But how are you going to get people's attention if all you've discovered is a few empty rooms beneath Main Street...?

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In our town, Madison, Indiana, the theatre has a catacomb-like basement that was created as part of an ancient (1930s) air conditioning system. Another building has a whole series of sub-basements because it used to be a brewery.

It goes on from there. It's all fun stuff in my mind and rediscovering something like this would be a blast.

The Underground railroad in Kansan history involves networks of underground sanctuaries for escaped people's of enslavement to hide and wait before moving on to the next hub in the network. Lawrence, Kansas has many homes with 3rd basements, sealed now mostly, for that very reason. Its a shame the history hasn't been spread on and the true meaning learned.

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